AZUSA, Calif. – In for a tough battle against the No. 23 team in the nation on Monday, Academy of Art men's soccer briefly drew level with Azusa Pacific during the second half, but APU would regain the lead minutes later as they would ultimately clinch a Pacific West Conference victory by a 4-1 final. 

Scoring started in the first half when the Cougars (9-2-2, 5-1-1 PacWest) struck in the ninth minute, allowing them to play with the lead early. That would be the only scoring in the first 45 minutes of play, with the Urban Knights (0-11-1, 0-7-0 PacWest) finding little room to operate on offense. However, that would end in the second frame as ART U would generate four shot opportunities, with one producing the first goal of the season for junior midfielder Gilli Kristjansson in the 56th minute, thanks to an assist from sophomore midfielder Gilly Miller.

Unforutnately, the Cougars would pull back in front just a couple minutes later, thanks to Carlos Granados scoring an unassisted goal in the 59th minute for the eventual game-winning goal. With just minutes left in the half, APU would find a pair of insurnace goals, putting the game on ice and stopping out any ART U comeback. 

Three of the four Urban Knights chances found their way on goal, with one shot coming from each of Kristjansson, freshman forward Ping Yao, and freshman Omer Tal. In goal making four saves was senior goalkeeper Davis King, the fifth time he has made at least four saves in a match this campaign. 

ART U will make a quick stop in Fresno, Calif. to battle the Sunbirds at 6 p.m. on Oct. 28 before returning home to face Hawaii Pacific on Oct. 31.